News

Forestry Contractors Demand "Tougher Measures" After New Attacks in the Southern Macrozone

Sponsors

The Association of Forestry Contractors has urged the government to "tighten" security measures in the Southern Macrozone, which has been under a constitutional state of emergency for a year and a half, following recent violent incidents and arson attacks recorded in the regions of La Araucanía and Biobío.

This Friday, unknown individuals burned down an uninhabited house on the route connecting the towns of Nueva Imperial and Carahue in La Araucanía. Initial investigations found no banners or signs referencing any cause.

In addition,a shootout occurredthe day before between members of the Coi Coi community and military and police forces in Carahue. In another incident, a group of masked individualsrobbed a gas station and burned trucksat the southern exit of the town of Loncoche.

Furthermore,five houses were burned by masked individuals in the Province of Arauco, in the Biobío Region; after the attack, police forces found an unsigned pamphlet alluding to the arrest of a community member.

"Terrorist activity persists. Despite the efforts of the government, police, and military, these criminals continue their actions," warned René Muñoz, manager of the forestry association.

Given this situation, "measures must be toughened, and our stance has always been that the military should play a slightly more prominent role in achieving the goal of bringing peace and tranquility to these territories, which have been disrupted for so long," he stated.

The provinces of Malleco and Cautín, which make up the La Araucanía Region, along with Arauco and Biobío in the namesake region, have been under a state of emergency since mid-May 2022. The most recent extension was approved by the National Congress on Tuesday.

Source:www.cooperativa.cl